Kevin Durant Avoids Technical Foul After Requesting Nonexistent Timeout – The Athletic

In a dramatic game between the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant found himself in a situation reminiscent of a historic sports blunder. The incident occurred during the second overtime of the season opener on Tuesday, where Durant attempted to call a timeout at a pivotal moment.

Details of the Incident

With only 2.2 seconds left on the clock and the score knotted at 115, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder had his jump shot blocked. The rebound fell to Durant, who signaled for a timeout. However, the Rockets were out of timeouts, and a technical foul should have been assessed against them under NBA Rule No. 12.

• Official Rule: Teams cannot request timeouts when they have none remaining.
• Penalty: A technical foul will result, along with possession to the opposing team after a free throw.

Referee Explanation

Despite Durant’s request, the officiating crew, including crew chief Zach Zarba, did not call a technical foul. Zarba explained that none of the referees observed Durant signaling for the timeout. This miscommunication led to confusion and disappointment among Thunder players.

Game Outcome

Despite the controversy, the Oklahoma City Thunder emerged victorious, winning 125-124. The game reached double overtime after the non-call. Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. had the last chance to win, but his contested jumper missed just before the buzzer.

Historical Parallels

This incident echoed Chris Webber’s infamous timeout blunder in the 1993 NCAA Men’s Tournament. Webber, lacking timeouts, famously called for one, leading to a crucial technical foul that contributed to Michigan’s defeat against North Carolina.

Such thrilling instances, combined with elements of controversy, are what make the 2025-26 NBA season exciting. The missed call may fade from memory, but the game itself will be long remembered by fans and players alike. Kevin Durant’s requesting a nonexistent timeout will be a talking point in NBA circles for some time.